Absolution - Muse > Reviews > They just get better and better

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Every track is unique, loads of vairety, awesome vocals and lyrics
Disadvantages:	Some songs won't appeal to everyone

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

This is Muse's 4th album, released in 2003. After 3 awesome releases already, fans had high expectations for this release, and what a treat they got.

Muse cover a wide variety of music from pop to rock to funk to a bit of prog. That's why they're so popular - because they can appeal to anyone really.

The album strats with a little 20 second intro of clapping and foot-stamping to beat to the actual opening song, Apocalypse Please. Apocalypse Please is the perfect opener to this album. It's a very dark track and awesome lyric work as usual. I love it how this album starts with the end of the world. It just fits perfectly.

Time Is Running Out was the 2nd single to be released from this album. It's a very catchy pop-rock song with a groovy bass-line hook. Whilst being fairly upbeat and funky, it's also a very dark song.

Sing For Absolution was the 4th single to be released from this album. After 2 really dark tracks, this one is more cheery, and is a wonderful ballad.

Stockholm Syndrome was the 1st single to be released from this album. It's a very upbeat song with an awesome catchy riff. Another dark song, with more lyrics about things ending - 'this is the last time I'll abandon you'. One of my favourites.

Falling Away With You is one of the underrated gems on this album. Another soft song, but slightly more upbeat. It's so beautiful.

Then there is a little 35 second interlude of beautiful noise which is kind of an extended intro to the next track Hysteria, the 3rd single from this album, which is a heavy rock piece, a fan favourite and certainly one of the best on the album.

Blackout is a soft ballad in 6/8 and is beautiful, but I think it's a bit overrated. Not one of the best on the album, but an awesome track nevertheless.

Then it's the big epic, Butterflies and Hurricanes, which is their latest single. Muse always have a track like this on their albums (except Hullaballoo, but that's slightly different). This is easily my favourite on the album, my favourite Muse song, and one of my favourite songs ever. The build up is astounding as is the piano solo and the way it all fits together. The single version with extra guitars is even better.

The Small Print would have done well as a single, but hasn't been released. It's a upbeat, almost punk-like song with awesome lyrics and a headbanging chorus. One of Muse's heaviest songs.

Endlessly is a track like no other Muse track. It's a kinda disco-ballad with such thought-provoking lyrics. You get lost in the atmosphere of the song. It's so awesome.

Thoughts Of A Dying Athiest is another very up-tempo song, and is a popular live track. It's short and sweet and is in just the right place in the album.

The album finished with the phenomenal slow, eerie song Ruled By Secrecy. You get lost in this one too. It's so dark and beautiful and ends the album perfectly.

I think this is Muse's best album, and I would certainly reccomend this to any fan of rock, pop or even prog. Get this and you will be amazed.